Nicole C. > Recent Status Updates

I'm having trouble getting into this book. The main character's motivation is not clear to me and both POVs read kind of the same, despite vastly different time periods.

DNF. Blurb says "laugh out loud funny," but there is a violent SA pretty early on and references to suicide, so . . . Where is humor? Also, yes 1950s but not every man is a misogynist and also not all sexism was/is blatant and told right to a woman's face. Subtlety would have been better. I just can't understand why this is being lauded so much. The author is a good writer but this could have been better.

This seemed promising, but I don't think I can finish it. Just . . . unrelenting misery and while I'm sure we're supposed to feel for the protagonist, I just find her a bit obnoxious. This sounds callous, considering what she's going through, but I don't find her as sympathetic as I ought to

Remember, only Christian marriages are truly happy. People are too busy with carnality and leaving God by the wayside, he says, so it's no wonder so many marriages are fraught.

More contradictions. He advises men to gently introduce intercourse to their wives and not just assaulting them. He believes that brutality in the bedroom should be grounds for divorce. But then, thinks any couple who purposely use methods to avoid children are monsters. They believed that the withdrawal method was a foundation for cancers of the female organs, because sperm is apparently soothing to the uterus(!)

Surprising to see a chapter in here on abortion, especially in direct language rather than veiled terms. Not surprising that he's against it in all situations and, of course, centers it in Christian morality worldview.

Published in 1902. Another scaremongering book. However, several differences so far from others: he believes boys and girls should go to separate schools and events, starting from about 5 years old or so, to prevent any possible sexual awakening. Also believes women agitating for the right to vote and hold political office are "monstrosities," for you obviously can't be a wife and mother as well as be a suffragette.

Sorry, but I'm pretty sure a tenement building in 1929 probably didn't have separate bathrooms in each "apartment," much less a shower. Grr.

"Most people dislike the telephone for social calls. It is a lazy and discourteous way of being friendly." How horrified this board would be in the era of mobile telephones and keeping in contact via social media.

"Do not say, 'Glad to meet you.' By its flippancy, the phrase loses any real meaning. 'How do you do, Miss Jones, or Mr. Smith?' is sufficient." But what if I AM glad to meet that person? Introductions were way too complicated in the earlier centuries.

"It is never permissible to discuss a surgical operation, or a bad illness, or death, out to describe filth, or mention vermin, while at the table. " You'd hate my house, then!

"If soup is served, fill your spoon away from you, always, not toward you. If this rule is observed, there is less danger of letting drops fall on the tablecloth or on your clothes." I have never heard this, ever. It makes sense, though, even if it does seem backwards.

My curiosity has been piqued.

Why did I never read this before??

Five truths. 1. Relationship will not save you - I agree, but, see Hollywood. 2. Relationship is not a needs exchange, but for spiritual growth. Isn't that a need? If yes, truth contradicts itself. 3. This is it. Live in the now. See earlier update. 4. Men are "as-is" merchandise; don't change them. Society tries to inculcate different mindset. 5. No guarantees in love. Ppl change, but then why should we even bother?

Author advises that we should be present in the present. 'Make ISness your Business.' You are not your mind. I get this. Not a new concept. Still difficult to put into practice, especially accepting that everything is as it should be, even when one's life is haywire.

Why am I reading this? Curiosity. So far, preface reads like a bad infomercial (are there good infomercials?) 'What if I told you that I could make magic happen in an hour's time? What if I taught you how to harness the magnet that resides inside every woman to pull men out of thin air and towards you RIGHT NOW?'

Man, the husband is such a dick!

I was listening to the librivox version of this, and it was entertaining, until the guy's voices started to get to me. Downloaded once again for Kindle; I'll read it my damned self!!

"A method has been patented in England . . . meat is dipped into a solution containing 1% carbolic acid and 72% alcohol. . . Another method . . . exposed to a current of refrigerated air until stiffened. It is then sprinkled with powdered borax . . ." Is it any wonder that people died early?

I really wish Goodreads would stop recommending things on my feed, because I want to read most of them, and then I will NEVER finish reading anything on my to-read list. It's nearly impossible now!!